Portable multi-touch input device

ABSTRACT

A portable input device is described. The portable input device can wirelessly send control signals to an external circuit. The control signals can derive from touch or gestures applied to a touch sensitive surface. The control signals can also include a mouse click equivalent control signal generated by mechanical manipulation of the portable input device.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to input devices used in support of consumerelectronic devices and more particularly, a portable touch sensitiveinput device is described.

2. Description of the Related Art

In order to provide accurate and consistent motion and positional data,a computer mouse requires a flat, rigid surface on which to move.Relying on the availability of the flat, rigid surface in order tooperate properly can be particularly troublesome in those situationswhere the computing device is portable in nature since the availablesurfaces may not be suitable. Therefore, it has become common practiceto replace the computer mouse with the touchpad in mobile computingdevices such as laptop computers, portable media players, and so forth.The conventional touchpad assembly typically includes operationalcircuitry enclosed within the housing of the mobile computing device anda touch sensitive surface exposed to receive touch events provided byeither the user's finger(s) or other appropriate object. In this way,the typical mobile computing device can have the option of providing akeyed input (such as that provided by a keyboard or keypad) and thetouch pad.

In contrast to the computer mouse, the touchpad can detect a widervariety of input events (such as multi-fingered gestures, swipes, and soforth). Since the computer mouse relies upon detection of motion inrelation to the surface upon which it rests to provide the requisitedata to the computing device, the wider gamut of information provided bygestural motions so easily provided by the trackpad is unavailable tothe computer mouse.

Therefore, it would be desirable to provide touch based input devicessuitable for use with both stationary and mobile computing systems.

SUMMARY

This paper describes various embodiments that relate to methods toassociate a mobile wireless communication device and in particular awireless input device.

A wireless input device includes a housing body, the housing bodyenclosing a rigid frame structure arranged to support operationalcomponents of the portable input device, a touch pad assembly, the touchpad assembly mounted to and supported by the rigid frame structure. Thetouch pad assembly includes a touch sensitive layer arranged to detect atouch event at the touch sensitive layer, and generate a first signal inaccordance with the detected touch event. The wireless input device alsoincludes a protective covering overlaying the touch sensitive layer,wherein the touch sensitive layer detects a touch event applied on ornear the protective covering and generates a first signal based upon thedetected touch event and an RF transmitter. The RF transmitter includesat least a portion of the rigid frame structure shaped in such a way toform a current path, wherein a voltage applied to the portion of therigid frame structure causes current to flow along the current pathresulting in generation of RF energy emitted by the RF transmitter.

A method performed by a wireless input device having a housing and atouch sensitive surface. The method can be carried out by detecting atouch event at the touch sensitive layer, generating a first signal inaccordance with the detected touch event, detecting a force applied tothe housing, generating a second signal in accordance with the detectedforce and wirelessly sending the first signal and the second signal toan external circuit in wireless communication with the wireless inputdevice.

A system that includes a wireless control device in wirelesscommunication with a media device is described where the wirelesscontrol device includes a rigid frame structure, a touch pad assembly,the touch pad assembly mounted to and supported by a rigid framestructure. The touch pad assembly includes a touch sensitive layer, thetouch sensitive layer arranged to detect a touch event at the touchsensitive layer and generate a first signal in accordance with thedetected touch event. The wireless control device also include a displaylayer integrally formed with the touch sensitive layer arranged topresent visual content including icons used to control operations of themedia device and an RF transmitter that includes a portion of the rigidframe structure shaped in such a way to form a current path, wherein avoltage applied to the portion of the rigid frame structure causescurrent to flow along the current path resulting in generation of RFenergy emitted by the RF transmitter.

A non-transitory computer readable medium for storing a computer programexecuted by a processor in a wireless input device having a housing anda touch sensitive surface. The computer program including computer codefor detecting a touch event at the touch sensitive layer, computer codefor generating a first signal in accordance with the detected touchevent, computer code for detecting a force applied to the housing,computer code for generating a second signal in accordance with thedetected force and computer code for wirelessly sending the first signaland the second signal to an external circuit in wireless communicationwith the wireless input device.

Other aspects and advantages will become apparent from the followingdetailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawingswhich illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The described embodiments will be readily understood by the followingdetailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,wherein like reference numerals designate like structural elements, andin which:

FIG. 1 shows representative portable input device 100 shown in a topperspective view in accordance with the described embodiments;

FIG. 2 shows a bottom perspective view of portable input device showingsupports formed of compliant and skid resistant material;

FIG. 3 shows relationship between force F applied at portable inputdevice and reaction of support structures in accordance with theembodiments.

FIG. 4 shows an exposed rear view of portable input device in accordancewith the described embodiments.

FIG. 5 shows a frame structure in accordance with the describedembodiments.

FIG. 6 shows a flowchart detailing a process in accordance with thedescribed embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DESCRIBED EMBODIMENTS

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are setforth to provide a thorough understanding of the concepts underlying thedescribed embodiments. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled inthe art that the described embodiments can be practiced without some orall of these specific details. In other instances, well known processsteps have not been described in detail in order to avoid unnecessarilyobscuring the underlying concepts.

Broadly speaking the embodiments herein describe a portable inputdevice. The portable input device can include a touch pad capable ofdetecting a touch event in the form of multi-touch and gestural inputsprovided by a user. The portable input device can respond to the touchevent by providing a first signal to an external circuit for processing.The external circuit can take the form of a computing device along thelines of, for example, a desk top computing device, a portable computingdevice such as a laptop, or a consumer product such as a TV, projector,stereo and so forth. In the described embodiments, the portable inputdevice can provide a second signal separate from the first signal. Thesecond signal can be provided by a signal generating circuitincorporated into a structural component of the portable input device.The signal generating circuit can respond to a force applied directly tothe structural component of the portable input device in accordance witha magnitude of the force and a duration of time that the force isapplied (the combination referred to as a force contour). For example,when the applied force has a force contour that is well defined and ofshort duration, then the signal generating circuit can respond along thelines of a switch or switch-like device and provide the second signal inaccordance with a mouse click, tap, and so forth. On the other hand,when the force contour is more continuous and of longer duration, thesignal generating circuit can respond along the lines of a sensor orsensor like device where the second signal is more continuous in nature.

The second signal can be used to modify the first signal. The secondsignal can also be used to influence how the external circuit interpretsthe first signal. For example, when the user touches the touch pad in adirection and with a force akin to that of the user drawing figures witha finger or stylus, the first signal corresponding to the touch can beinterpreted as a line drawing or sketch that can be presented on adisplay. Concurrently, the signal generating circuit can respond to theforce applied by the finger or stylus by providing a correspondingsecond signal that can be used by the external circuit to modify theinterpretation of the first signal, such as changing line color,thickness and so on. For example, the harder the pressure the thickerthe line, redder the color, and so forth.

It should be noted that one or more signal generating circuits can beplaced at any appropriate location of the portable input device. Forexample, one or more signal generating circuits can be associated withone or more support structures (referred to as device feet) located atvarious positions on the portable input device used to support theportable input device on a rigid surface. Moreover, a force applied tothe portable input device can be detected by one or more of the signalgenerating circuits having locations that can vary widely. For example,one signal generating circuit can be located in an upper quadrant of theportable input device while another can be located in a lower quadrantwhile still others can be centrally located. In some cases, the portableinput device can have a plurality of signal generating circuitsdistributed throughout.

The portable input device can take the form of a wireless touch pad. Thewireless touch pad can have an effective communication range with theexternal circuit that varies widely. Accordingly, the wireless touch padcan be used in a close range environment (about a foot or so) with adesktop or laptop or in a more distant range environment (about 10 feetor so) as a remote control for a set top box, television, media center,and so forth. The wireless touch pad can include a plurality ofoperational circuitry. The plurality of operational circuitry can beused to detect touch events applied on or near a touch sensitivesurface. The operational circuitry can also include a wirelesstransceiver used to facilitate wireless communication between thewireless touch pad and the external circuit. A particularly usefulfeature of the wireless touch pad is that there is no requirement for aRF antenna external to the wireless touch pad. Since at least a portionof the wireless touch pad housing is used as an RF resonator, there isno need for an antenna window to accommodate the transmission of RFsignals. In a particularly useful embodiment, a portion of the wirelesstouch pad such as a metallic substructure, or frame, can be modified insuch that an applied voltage can cause a current to flow in such a waythat RF energy is radiated at the appropriate frequency and power(depending on the value of the applied voltage). Furthermore, byjudiciously shaping the resonating portion, the direction and coherenceof the radiated RF energy can be controlled.

The wireless touch pad can be lightweight having a size and shapesuitable for being easily carried about in one hand and operated by theother hand. The size and shape of the portable touch pad can alsopresent an aesthetic look that can substantially enhance the user'ssubjective and objective experience. For example, operational componentsof the wireless touch pad can be enclosed and supported by a housingintegrally formed to include a structure that can act as both a batterycompartment and a support piece. The support piece being arranged andshaped in such a way that when the wireless touch pad is resting on arigid surface such as a table, the touch sensitive surface can bepresented to the user at an ergonomically efficient and visuallypleasing angle. The wireless touch pad can also include an attractiveprotective layer used to protect the touch sensitive surface as well asprovide an appealing subjective tactile sensation to the user.

Furthermore, the shape of at least a portion of the frame can be used totune the acoustic characteristics of a signal generating circuit in theform of a dome switch. As well known in the art, a dome switch (or anymechanical switch for that matter) can generate a distinctive soundalong the lines of “CLICK”. However, the subjective quality of the soundgenerated can be modified based upon the location of the dome switchwithin the frame substructure. The subjective quality of the sound candepend upon acoustic characteristics such as frequency, timbre and soon. These characteristics, in turn, can depend upon an amount ofmaterial that resonates from the energy released when the dome switch isengaged, i.e., the more material the lower the frequency, and viceversa. The quality of the sound generated by the dome switch can tunedin accordance with an amount of material that resonates when the domeswitch is engaged. In this way, a desired quality of sound can beachieved by placing the dome switch in a position within the frame thatencloses an amount of material corresponding to the desired acousticproperties of the “CLICK” sound when the dome switch is engaged.

These and other embodiments are discussed below with reference to FIGS.1-6. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that thedetailed description given herein with respect to these figures is forexplanatory purposes only and should not be construed as limiting.

FIG. 1 shows representative portable input device 100 shown in a topperspective view in accordance with the described embodiments. For theremainder of this discussion, portable input device 100 is presumed tobe wireless in nature using well known and established wirelesscommunication protocols such as WiFi, BlueTooth, and so on. However,although discussed in terms of a wireless configuration, any appropriatecommunication protocol, be it wireless or wired, can be used withoutloss of generality. Accordingly, portable input device 100 can includehousing 102 formed of, for example, aluminum. Housing 102 can have anattractive finish formed by anodizing, painting, and so on and have asize and shape that renders portable input device 100 easy to carryabout by a user in one hand and operated by the other. It iscontemplated, however, that portable input device 100 is used as anadjunct to input devices already available to an external circuit (notshown) in wireless communication with portable input device 100.Portable input device 100 also includes enclosure 104 integrally formedwith housing 102 used to support operational circuitry.

In some embodiments, enclosure 104 can also be used as a batterycompartment into which a battery (or batteries) can be placed and usedto provide power to the operational circuits as well as any operationalcomponents included in enclosure 104. In the embodiment shown anddescribed, enclosure 104 can be sized and shaped to provide mechanicalsupport for portable input device 100 when resting upon a rigid surfacesuch as, for example, a desktop, tabletop, and so on. When placed uponand supported by the rigid surface, the size of shape of enclosure 104can result in portable input device 100 being presented to the user at aconvenient and ergonomically efficient presentation angle θ. Forexample, when enclosure 104 has diameter d of about 20 mm and housing102 length l of about 125 mm, presentation angle θ can be on the orderof about 10°. In this way, the user will better be able to convenientlyand with little effort touch on or near protective layer 106 used toprotect touch sensitive layer 108 enclosed and supported by housing 102.In some cases, protective layer 106 can be formed of highly polishedglass or plastic. Protective layer 106 can be transparent in order toallow images to be viewed originating from a display layer having imageelements in those embodiments of portable input device 100 so equipped.In those embodiments equipped with display elements, a number of visualindicia can be presented that can include for example, a number pad, agraphical user interface, an auxiliary menu, an auxiliary display for acomputer system. The image elements can be embedded within the touchpad, the housing, or any other appropriate location. The image elementscan display static, graphic, video, and textual information. In someembodiments, the image elements can be associated with haptic elementsproviding a tactile response corresponding to images presented. Forexample, the image elements can present an image of a dome button on thetouch pad that when pressed, the associated haptic actuators can respondby providing a tactile response reminiscent of an actual dome button.However, in those situations where portable input device 100 does notinclude a display layer, protective layer 106 can be opaque or at leasttranslucent to provide a more aesthetic look to portable input device100.

A finger or other appropriate object (stylus, pen, and so on) placed onor near protective layer 106 can be detected by touch sensitive layer108. Touch sensitive layer 108 can be used to provide user input to theexternal circuit in lieu of or in combination with other input devices.Touch sensitive layer 108 can include touch sensitive elements that arewholly or partially transparent, semitransparent, non-transparent, andopaque or any combination thereof. Touch sensitive layer 108 can beembodied as any multi-dimensional object having a touch sensitivesurface for receiving touch input. In one example, touch sensitive layer108 embodied as a touch screen can include a transparent and/orsemitransparent touch sensitive panel partially or wholly positionedover at least a portion of a display. According to this embodiment,touch sensitive layer 108 functions to display graphical data (such as agraphical user interface, or GUI) and also functions to receive userinput.

Touch sensitive layer 108 can be configured to detect the location ofone or more touches or near touches on or near protective layer 106based on capacitive, resistive, optical, acoustic, inductive,mechanical, chemical measurements, or any phenomena that can be measuredwith respect to the occurrences of the one or more touches or neartouches in proximity to portable input device 100. Software, hardware,firmware or any combination thereof can be used to process themeasurements of the detected touches to identify and track one or moregestures and provide a first signal (also referred to as touch signalT). Touch signal T can be forwarded to the external circuit forprocessing. The gestures can be associated with commands executed by aprocessor associated with or included in the external circuit that canbe used to process data. A gesture can correspond to stationary ornon-stationary, single or multiple, touches or near touches on portableinput device 100. A gesture can be performed by moving one or morefingers or other objects in a particular manner on touch sensitive layer108 such as tapping, pressing, rocking, scrubbing, twisting, changingorientation, pressing with varying pressure and the like at essentiallythe same time, contiguously, or consecutively. A gesture can becharacterized by, but is not limited to a pinching, sliding, swiping,rotating, flexing, dragging, or tapping motion between or with any otherfinger or fingers. A single gesture can be performed with one or morehands, by one or more users, or any combination thereof.

Signal generating circuit 110 located within the body of portable inputdevice 100 (at, for example, structural supports) can react to the userapplying force F to portable input device 100 by pressing down uponportable input device 100. For example, at least one signal generatingcircuit 110 can react to the application of force F by generating asecond signal independent of the first signal. The second signal can besent to the external circuit in accordance with the first signal. Instill other cases, the second signal can be the only signal sent to theexternal circuit. In this way, the external circuit can interpret thesecond signal as a discrete function such as a mouse click. In somesituations, however, the operating environment of portable input device100 can be such that generation of the second signal is impracticalusing only signal generating circuit 110. In this situation, softwareresident in either portable input device 100 or the external device canprocess a specific touch event at touch sensitive surface 108 in thesame manner as the second signal. For example, if the second signal isinterpreted to be functionally equivalent to a mouse click, a “tap toclick” function can be enabled in those situations where generation ofthe second signal is not easily accomplished using signal generatingcircuit 110. It should be noted that the tap to click function can beenabled automatically or manually at the discretion of the user. In thiscase, the tap to click function can interpret a specific type of touchevent (such as a tap) to be functionally equivalent to the secondsignal. In this way, a tap can be interpreted as a mouse click withoutthe need to engage signal generating circuit 110. The tap to clickfunction can be invoked by a user when the wireless touch pad is notplaced upon a rigid surface or software can automatically enable the“tap” to click function when the wireless touch pad is removed from therigid surface and placed in an environment (such resting on a lap orheld by the user) unsuitable for facilitating the engagement of signalgenerating circuit 110.

It should be noted that signal generating circuit 110 can be located atany position of portable input device 100. For example, signalgenerating circuit 110 can be associated with support structures(referred to as device feet) that react to the user pressing on portableinput device 100 by retracting into housing 102 and causing signalgenerating circuit 110 to engage generating the second signal. However,the resolution of force F at the location of the support structures candepend upon the location on portable input device 100 that force F isapplied. For example, if force F is applied at or near one or more ofthe support structures associated with signal generating circuit 110,then most of force F is available to engage at least one or more signalgenerating circuit 110. If, however, force F is applied further awayfrom signal generating circuit 110 (in the region of enclosure 104, forexample), then lesser an amount of force F is available to engage signalgenerating circuit 110 requiring a greater exertion by the user in orderto successfully engage signal generating circuit 110. In this way, thenumber and location of signal generating circuit 110 can directly affectan amount of force required to generate the second signal by engagingsignal generating circuit 110.

FIG. 2 shows a bottom perspective view of portable input device 100showing supports 112 formed of compliant and skid resistant material.Bottom protective layer 114 can be formed of resilient material such asplastic such as TPU, ABS. Support structures 116 (also referred to asdevice foot, or feet) can provide support for portable input device 100.Signal generating circuit 110 associated with support structures 116 canrespond to the application of force F by generating the second signal.It should be noted that co-pending U.S. Patent Application entitled,“Device Feet” by Utterman et al having Serial No. ______ that isincorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes shows anddescribes a particular embodiment of support structures 116 (referred toas device feet). Support structures 116 can be configured to respond toforce F by generating the second signal (also referred to as signal S)independent of touch signal T. Signal S can be generated when, inresponse to force F applied to protective layer 106, one or both supportstructures 116 retract into housing 102. In the process of retracting,one or both support structures 116 cause a corresponding actuator (110Rand/or 110L) to engage resulting in the generation of signal S. Signal Scan be wirelessly passed to the external circuit for processingindependent of the processing of touch signal T. In some cases, however,signal S can be processed by portable input device 100 prior to beingwirelessly passed to the external circuit.

It should be noted that the resolution of force F by signal generatingcircuit 110 located at various locations of portable input device 100can depend upon the location where force F is applied. As shown in FIG.3, the force experienced at a signal generating circuit 300 can dependupon the distance d from the point A where force F is applied. In thisway, the sensitivity of signal generating circuit 330 can vary basedupon the location on portable input device 100 is placed. For example,signal generating circuit 302 centrally located can be expected toexperience a larger portion of force F than would signal generatingcircuit 304 located more in the peripheral regions. Therefore, theintrinsic sensitivities of signal generating circuits 302 and 304 can betuned so as to provide substantially uniform force detection across thetouch pad surface area.

FIG. 4 shows an exposed rear view of portable input device 100 inaccordance with the described embodiments. Input device 100 can includeframe 402 (shown in isolated view in FIG. 5) formed of structurallysuitable material such as aluminum or steel used to provide support foroperational components 404 enclosed by housing 102. Operationalcomponents 404 can include wireless circuitry, touch sensitivecircuitry, power management circuitry, processing circuitry, and so on.Foot bar 406 can be hingedly attached to frame 402 using flexiblematerial, also referred to as flexure, as flex hinge 408. In theembodiments shown and described, flex hinge 408 can be secured to frame402 using any number and type of attachment mechanisms, such as screws410. Foot bar 406 can be formed of metal or other rigid material. Footbar 406 can pivot about flex hinge 408 about hinge line 412 in responseto force F. Set screw 414 can be used to adjust the mechanical responseand position of foot bar 406 to force F by, for example, adjusting theposition of foot bar 406 within cavity 416 formed in housing 102 (shownin more detail in FIG. 5). This adjustment can also modify theresponsive of signal generating circuit 110. For example, when signalgenerating circuit 110 takes the form of a dome switch, set screw 414can be used to adjust the position of foot bar 406 relative to the domeswitch in order to adjust an amount of pre-loading of the dome switch.It should be noted that by pre-loading it is meant the amount of forceapplied to the dome switch in an OFF state that causes at least somedeflection of the dome material of the dome switch. This deflection cansubstantially affect the feel of the dome switch by modifying the forcerequired for the dome switch to engage the dome switch. The amount ofdeflection can be adjusted using set screw 414 to adjust the position offoot bar 406. In this way, the force required to engage dome switch 410can be made substantially equal along foot bar 406. Set screw 414 canalso be used to modify the alignment of foot bar 406 in relation tohousing 102 within cavity 416. For example, a click force (i.e., anamount of force required to engage signal generating circuit 110 togenerate a click event) can be measured and the height of foot bar 406can be adjusted using set screw 414. In this way, foot bar 406 can bealigned to housing 102 within cavity 416 so as to be essentially flushwith housing 102.

In order to provide adequate RF energy, a portion of frame 402 is usedas an RF transmitter by forming slot portion 418 creating a current pathI from current feed 420 to current sink 422. Therefore when voltageV_(RF) is applied at current feed 420, current I_(RF) flows from currentfeed 420 along current path Ito current sink 422 generating RF energy.That portion of metal frame 402 can in the vicinity of slot portion 418can then act as an antenna and radiate a sufficient portion of the RFenergy to establish a wireless communication channel with the externalcircuit.

Still referring to FIG. 5, dome switch 500 can be located within a wellformed by portions 502 of frame 402. Portions 502 can limits the amountof material that resonates when dome switch 500 engages therebymodifying the sound quality dome. In this way, the sound quality of domeswitch 500 can be tuned by placing dome switch 500 within the regionformed by portions 502.

FIG. 6 shows a flowchart detailing process 600 in accordance with theembodiments shown and described. At 602, a touch event is detected at atouch sensitive layer. At 604, a first signal is generated in accordancewith the detected touch event. At 606, a force is detected and at 608 asecond signal is generated in accordance with the detected force. At610, the first signal and the second signal are wirelessly sent to anexternal circuit in wireless communication with the wireless inputdevice

The many features and advantages of the present invention are apparentfrom the written description and, thus, it is intended by the appendedclaims to cover all such features and advantages of the invention.Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur tothose skilled in the art, the invention should not be limited to theexact construction and operation as illustrated and described. Hence,all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to as fallingwithin the scope of the invention.

1. A wireless input device, comprising: a housing body, the housing bodyenclosing a rigid frame structure arranged to support operationalcomponents of the portable input device; a touch pad assembly, the touchpad assembly mounted to and supported by the rigid frame structure, thetouch pad assembly comprising: a touch sensitive layer, the touchsensitive layer arranged to detect a touch event at the touch sensitivelayer, and generate a first signal in accordance with the detected touchevent; a protective covering overlaying the touch sensitive layer,wherein the touch sensitive layer detects a touch event applied on ornear the protective covering and generates a first signal based upon thedetected touch event; and an RF transmitter comprising: a portion of therigid frame structure shaped in such a way to form a current path,wherein a voltage applied to the portion of the rigid frame structurecauses current to flow along the current path resulting in generation ofRF energy emitted by the RF transmitter.
 2. The portable input device asrecited in claim 1, further comprising: a signal generating circuit, thesignal generating circuit responsive to a force applied to the housingbody by generating a second signal, the second signal being independentof the first signal.
 3. The portable input device as recited in claim 2,wherein when the applied force is a discrete force, the second signal isa discrete signal, otherwise, the second signal is continuous signal. 4.The portable input device as recited in claim 3, wherein the firstsignal is based upon positional and movement information correspondingto the touch event, and wherein the second signal modifies aninterpretation of the first signal by the external circuit.
 5. Theportable input device as recited in claim 4, wherein the externalcircuit is a portable computing device.
 6. A method, comprising: in awireless input device having a housing and a touch sensitive surface,detecting a touch event at the touch sensitive layer; generating a firstsignal in accordance with the detected touch event; detecting a forceapplied to the housing; generating a second signal in accordance withthe detected force; wirelessly sending the first signal and the secondsignal to an external circuit in wireless communication with thewireless input device.
 7. The method as recited in claim 7, furthercomprising: presenting visual content at the touch sensitive layer; anddetecting the touch event in accordance with the presented visualcontent.
 8. The method as recited in claim 7, wherein the presentedvisual content includes visual icons, the visual icons indicative ofcontrol commands used to influence an operation of the external circuit.9. The method as recited in claim 6, wherein the second signal isgenerated by a signal generation circuit, the signal generation circuitincorporated into the housing separate from the touch sensitive surface.10. The method as recited in claim 9, wherein the signal generationcircuit is a dome switch.
 11. The method as recited in claim 10, furthercomprising: modifying acoustic properties of the dome switch by:locating the dome switch in a position relative to the touch sensitivelayer such that an amount of the touch sensitive layer that vibrateswhen the dome switch is engaged modulates a sound generated when thedome switch is engaged.
 12. A system, comprising: a wireless controldevice in wireless communication with a media device a rigid framestructure, the wireless control device comprising: a touch pad assembly,the touch pad assembly mounted to and supported by a rigid framestructure, the touch pad assembly comprising: a touch sensitive layer,the touch sensitive layer arranged to detect a touch event at the touchsensitive layer, generate a first signal in accordance with the detectedtouch event; and a display layer, the display layer integrally formedwith the touch sensitive layer, the display layer arrange to presentvisual content, the visual content including icons used to controloperations of the media device; an RF transmitter comprising: a portionof the rigid frame structure shaped in such a way to form a currentpath, wherein a voltage applied to the portion of the rigid framestructure causes current to flow along the current path resulting ingeneration of RF energy emitted by the RF transmitter.
 13. The wirelesscontrol device as recited in claim 12, further comprising: a signalgenerating circuit, the signal generating circuit responsive to a forceapplied to the rigid frame structure by generating a second signal, thesecond signal being independent of the first signal.
 14. The wirelesscontrol device as recited in claim 13, wherein the second signalmodifies an interpretation of the first signal by the media device. 15.The wireless control device as recited in claim 13, wherein the secondsignal modifies visual content presented at the display layer.
 16. Anon-transitory computer readable medium for storing a computer program,the computer program executed by a processor in a wireless input devicehaving a housing and a touch sensitive surface, comprising: computercode for detecting a touch event at the touch sensitive layer; computercode for generating a first signal in accordance with the detected touchevent; computer code for detecting a force applied to the housing;computer code for generating a second signal in accordance with thedetected force; computer code for wirelessly sending the first signaland the second signal to an external circuit in wireless communicationwith the wireless input device.
 17. The computer readable medium asrecited in claim 16, further comprising: computer code for presentingvisual content at the touch sensitive layer; and computer code fordetecting the touch event in accordance with the presented visualcontent.
 18. The computer readable medium as recited in claim 16,wherein the presented visual content includes visual icons, the visualicons indicative of control commands used to influence an operation ofthe external circuit.
 19. The computer readable medium as recited inclaim 16, wherein the second signal is generated by a signal generationcircuit, the signal generation circuit incorporated into the housingseparate from the touch sensitive surface.
 20. The computer readablemedium as recited in claim 19, wherein the signal generation circuit isa dome switch.